Mixed metal alkyl catalyst for olefin polymerization

Abstract

A catalyst composition for use in polymerizing alpha olefins which comprises (a) a solid supported titanium tetrahalide complex, wherein said complex is prepared by contacting a mechanically pulverized solid support with titanium tetrahalide in the absence of mechanical pulverization, and (b) a cocatalyst comprising a mixture of a dialkyl aluminum halide and a dialkyl magnesium compound.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A catalyst composition for use in polymerizing alpha olefins which comprises: (a) a solid supported titanium tetrahalide complex, wherein said complex is prepared by contacting a mechanically pulverized solid support with titanium tetrahalide in the absence of mechanical pulverization, and   (b) a cocatalyst comprising a mixture of a dialkyl aluminum halide and a dialkyl magnesium compound.   
     
     
       2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the cocatalyst comprises a mixture of a dialkyl aluminum chloride and a dialkyl magnesium compound. 
     
     
       3. The composition according to claim 2, wherein the cocatalyst comprises a mixture of diethyl aluminum chloride and dibutyl magnesium. 
     
     
       4. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the molar ratio of aluminum to magnesium is 1:5 to 5:1. 
     
     
       5. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the cocatalyst further comprises a Lewis base. 
     
     
       6. The composition according to claim 5, wherein the Lewis base is an aromatic carboxylic acid ester. 
     
     
       7. The composition according to claim 6, wherein the Lewis base is ethyl benzoate. 
     
     
       8. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the mechanically pulverized solid support comprises a magnesium dihalide, an aromatic carboxylic acid ester and an alcohol or phenol. 
     
     
       9. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the mechanically pulverized solid support comprises a magnesium dihalide, an aromatic carboxylic acid ester and silicon tetrachloride. 
     
     
       10. The composition according to claim 8, wherein the titanium tetrahalide is titanium tetrachloride and the mechanically pulverized solid support comprises magnesium dichloride, ethyl benzoate and ethanol. 
     
     
       11. The composition according to claim 8, wherein the titanium tetrahalide is titanium tetrachloride and the mechanically pulverized solid support comprises magnesium dichloride, ethyl benzoate and cresol. 
     
     
       12. The composition according to claim 9, wherein the titanium tetrahalide is titanium tetrachloride and the mechanically pulverized solid support comprises magnesium dichloride, ethyl benzoate and silicon tetrachloride.